Siffleur Wilderness Area

The Siffleur Wilderness Area is a protected landscape featuring mountain peaks, glaciers, cold alpine lakes, and open mountain meadows that border the eastern side of Banff National Park. The terrain consists entirely of natural features with no roads or developed infrastructure inside its boundaries.

This wilderness received official protected status in 1965 under the Forest Reserves Act to safeguard the eastern Rocky Mountain ecosystems. The designation aimed to prevent intensive development and resource extraction in the alpine environment.

Indigenous peoples including the Ktunaxa Nation and Rocky Mountain Nakoda used these mountain lands for hunting and gathering for generations. Their deep connection to the region shapes how people today view the importance of protecting these wild spaces.

Access is only on foot via the Siffleur Falls trailhead on Highway 11 west of Nordegg, as no vehicles are permitted inside the area. Visitors should prepare for mountain weather conditions and plan longer trips to explore the interior.

The rock formations here span multiple geological ages, from late Precambrian through late Jurassic periods. These varied stone layers create the visual character of the mountains and tell the story of deep geological time.